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The following are answers to some
of the questions we are asked most often. If you need more information
about any of the topics below or have questions about anything else,
please don't hesitate to ask.
Dr. Reardon subscribes to the latest
industry journals to keep updated on research and development in
the dental industry. He also attends continuing education courses
on a regular basis and encourages his staff to do the same. We believe
it is our responsibility to our patients to be familiar with the
latest techniques and materials available.
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An average healthy adult benefits
from a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. If you've
been diagnosed with gum disease you may require more frequent checkups.
Even though daily brushing and flossing help to maintain a healthy
mouth, it's important to come in for regular checkups and cleanings
to guard against tooth decay and gum disease.
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Children should have their first dental
exam about 6 months after all of their primary teeth have come in.
This first visit provides us with an excellent opportunity to identify
and prevent any potential oral health or dental problems. It also
serves as a positive, non-threatening introduction to the dentist!
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We are happy to accept referrals from
other dental offices. Many of our patients also refer us to their
family and friends. We view your referrals as the ultimate compliment!
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Our office accepts nearly all of the
major insurance plans. Also, we are well-versed in the latest coverage
trends, and are more than happy to discuss the particulars of your
plan with you prior to any treatments you may undergo.
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If your temporary crown comes off
or breaks, carefully wrap up the piece(s), place it into a protective
container, and call our office to schedule an appointment so Dr.
Reardon can re-apply it as soon as possible. Under NO circumstances
should you attempt to re-glue the crown or crown pieces back into
position.
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If there is no immediate medical emergency
such as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness or other bodily injury,
please contact us immediately. You can describe the situation over
the phone and our office staff will help you determine the safest
and most appropriate plan of action.
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We accept cash, personal checks and
credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard. We also accept CareCredit. Your insurance plan co-pay is due at the time of your
visit but we can bill deductible payments over a period of time according
to your situation. Please alert us ahead of time if you wish to pay
in installments so we can structure a payment plan for you.
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We encourage our patients to have
open, direct communication with Dr. Reardon. Generally, he is available
to answer your questions either via email or voice mail. Depending
on his office schedule and the complexity of your questions, he makes
every effort to respond to you within 24 hours.
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There are a number of procedures available
to help whiten your smile, from at-home whitening products to in-office
supervised treatments. Dr. Reardon will evaluate the potential for
whitening your teeth based on their current color and the causes
of any discoloration. Once you have decided on the most appropriate
method, you will probably spend anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks undergoing
a series of simple whitening treatments.
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Our entire practice team is well trained
in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient
safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and facemasks to prevent
passing germs, and includes a specialized sanitation center and a
water filtration system guaranteeing a fresh water source for each
patient.
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When you become a patient of our practice,
we think of you as the unique individual you are and not just another
set of teeth to fix and clean! Our goal is to help you obtain and
then maintain the best possible oral health. So,
in addition to providing you with excellent and comprehensive dental
care, we help you better understand how to take care of your teeth
through thorough patient education. And last, but certainly not least,
our team goes out of their way to make sure that you are well taken
care of, in every respect during every visit.
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Bleeding
gums following brushing may alarm you. However, the condition
may or may not require attention, depending on the source of
the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following:
improper, rough, 'scrubbing' instead of gentle, circular brushing
motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft
one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum
sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal
disease. If this problem occurs every time you brush,
contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.
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We realize that you may feel nervous
or even uncomfortable about having dental work done
so we do everything we can to create a relaxing atmosphere for you. For entertainment
and distraction, we have headphones and DVDs available so you can keep your
mind on more pleasant things. And for the more complex procedures, we offer oral
sedation, IV sedation and nitrous (laughing gas).
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Please contact us, we are happy to
answer all of your questions. A great online resource on a larger
variety of topics visit the American
Dental Association.
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Millions of people struggle with halitosis,
or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist
of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing,
daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings,
and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances.
However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists,
we can offer several solutions.
First, we can provide a plastic tool
called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your
tongue and significantly alleviates odor. Or, we can recommend a
specially-prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break
the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, we
may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection
or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with
your family physician or specialist to identify the cause.
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A little regular flossing goes a long
way, and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens
food particles in tight spaces your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets
rid of plaque build-up toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it exercises
your gum tissues. All of these things are necessary to avoid gum
disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch
after brushing -insurance for your smile's future.
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There are several methods Dr. Abbott
can use to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of
braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of tooth
reshaping may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look.
The addition of porcelain veneers can dramatically rejuvenate and
enhance your smile (as seen on Extreme Makeovers). Whatever your
desires, we'll come up with a plan that suits you best.
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A Smile Analysis helps
us determine the proper aesthetics of your new smile based on your
facial symmetry, lip line, and other features. Each person has a
unique "perfect" smile that is proportional and flattering to the
face. We take digital photos of both your smile and face and then
talk about what your concerns are, what you'd like to change, and
what your goals are.
Smile Design is the process of designing your new smile. For more extensive
cosmetic procedures, we send physical models of your teeth to the lab so
they can make a wax "mock up" of your new smile. You can then "try on" your
new smile before we begin any cosmetic work. Once you are satisfied with
your new appearance, we will create a customized treatment plan that best
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